Several retailers have announced closures for this month as the larger industry faces inflation and shifting consumer behavior.
The stores closing throughout the month of September include multiple Kroger and At Home locations across the country.
Why It Matters
Since the coronavirus pandemic, the retail industry has faced widespread disruption, with many consumers choosing online shopping over brick-and-mortar stores.
Almost 25 percent of America’s largest shopping malls are anticipated to close by 2027, according to research from real estate services firm Green Street Advisors.
What To Know
Several retail brands are shutting down brick-and-mortar stores in September.
At Home
At Home, a Dallas-based home goods retailer, will be shutting stores in 12 states by the end of September.
While the chain has operated more than 250 stores nationwide, the number of store units will dwindle by 26 stores as it closes its “underperforming stores” across several states. At Home previously filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as it struggles with $2 billion in debt.
The list of shuttering stores includes:
- 750 Newhall Drive in San Jose, California
- 2505 El Camino Real in Tustin, California
- 2200 Harbor Boulevard in Costa Mesa, California
- 3795 E. Foothills Boulevard in Pasadena, California
- 1982 E. 20th St. in Chico, California
- 26532 Towne Center Drive, Suites A-B, in Foothill Ranch, California
- 8320 Delta Shores Circle South in Sacramento, California
- 2900 N. Bellflower Boulevard in Long Beach, California
- 14585 Biscayne Boulevard in North Miami, Florida
- 5203 W. War Memorial Drive in Peoria, Illinois
- 13180 S. Cicero Ave. in Crestwood, Illinois
- 571 Boston Turnpike in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
- 300 Providence Highway in Dedham, Massachusetts
- 2820 Highway 63 South in Rochester, Minnesota
- 905 S 24th St. West in Billings, Montana
- 1361 NJ-35 in Middletown Township, New Jersey
- 461 Route 10 East in Ledgewood, New Jersey
- 301 Nassau Park Boulevard in Princeton, New Jersey
- 6135 Junction Boulevard in Rego Park, New York
- 300 Baychester Ave. in Bronx, New York
- 720 Clairton Boulevard in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- 19460 Compass Creek Parkway in Leesburg, Virginia
- 8300 Sudley Road in Manassas, Virginia
- 2530 Rudkin Road in Yakima, Washington
- 1001 E. Sunset Drive in Bellingham, Washington
- 3201 N. Mayfair Road in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Kroger
Two Kroger stores are scheduled to close on September 19, according to United Food & Commercial Workers.
The affected locations are at 466 South Cummings Street, Abingdon, Virginia and 1664 East Stone Drive, Kingsport, Tennessee.
“The communities served by our members at these stores will suffer as a direct result of Kroger prioritizing Wall Street investors over their customers and hard-working employees. Closing these stores will not only result in fewer good, union job opportunities, it will further limit food access in rural areas where there are few if any alternatives to buy groceries – all for a purported ‘modest financial benefit’ to the company,” United Food & Commercial Workers Local 400 Union President Mark Federici said in a statement.
Newsweek reached out to Kroger for comment via email.
Drew Powers, the founder of Illinois-based Powers Financial Group, told Newsweek that “Kroger is in an impossible situation. They are caught in the aftermath of last year’s failed merger attempt with Albertson’s, breach of contract lawsuits from Albertson’s and other grocers involved in the failed merger, allegations of price fixing and deceptive practices, the sudden departure of their CEO amid an ethics investigation; all on top of pressure from online grocery retailers and a consumer shift away from brick and mortar shopping.
“Kroger is forced to pare back and focus on only the most profitable locations under their brand name, as well as their subsidiaries like Mariano’s, Pick’n Save, and Harris Teeter.”
More Possible Closures: Claire’s
Fashion and jewelry retailer Claire’s also filed for bankruptcy in August, marking the company’s second bankruptcy filing since 2018. The chain is $690 million in debt as competition within the industry remains strong, mall rental prices have surged, and tariffs have led to price increases.
While Claire’s currently operates more than 2,300 locations worldwide, the company will have to close all locations if it cannot find a buyer.
What People Are Saying
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: “When it comes to retail, 2025 has become the year of efficiency, as many companies are taking a hard look at the bottom line and what stores are underperforming and how to solve that issue. For some retailers, the answer is to simply close them, citing continued issues with profitability among other issues that may apply to certain storefronts. While some may point the finger at these closures to crime or other social factors, the reality is it all comes down to the dollars and cents behind running individual stores.”
Drew Powers, the founder of Illinois-based Powers Financial Group, told Newsweek: “Consolidation in the retail sector is not a good thing for consumers. Coupled with recent inflation, a lack of competition and possibly higher prices will truly hurt shoppers.”
What Happens Next
Shoppers should expect the stores to close their doors by the end of September. In the meantime, closing sales are likely as the chains look to get rid of remaining inventory.
The post List of Stores Closing in September appeared first on Newsweek.
